Scoring device for the game of bridge



1944- M. A. ZULFICAR I SCORING DEVICE FOR THE GAME OF BRIDGE Original Filed May 13, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l I nYvE/vTo/ Z/AF/G/mq Dec. 12, 19440 M. A. ZULFICAR I 2,365,130

SCORING DEVICE FOR THE GAME OF BRIDGE Original Filed May 13, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JI? .17 a 18 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 M. A. ZULFICAR SCORING DEVICE FOR THE GAME OF BRIDGE /V I l X A 5 31 J2 19 Original Filed May 13, 1940 Dec. 12, 1944.

Patented Dec. 12, 1944 UNITED STAT ESQ PAT ENT' OFFICE SCORING DEVICE FOR THE GAMEQOF BRIDG MOhamedAref :Zulficar, London; England 3' Original application May. 13, 1940,' Serial No. 334,935; now Patent Nd." 2302;989, dated November 24,1942; Divided and'this "application October 22, 1942, Serial No. 462,956; In 'Great- Britain' 'August 16', 1939 3 Claims (crass-+144) This invention 7 relate'sto an" improved i'egistering-device;particularly intended for use in registering scores-'in connection with the card game known asbridge, although notlimited to that use, anddias=particulai' referenceto a registering device of the type described and claimed in my prior' application, Serial No. 334,935, filed May 13, "1940, now Patent No. 2,302,989 issued" November- 24', 1942; of which 'this application is a divisiona A registering device as described and claimed in my aforesaid prior application comprises," generally speaki'ngya plurality of parallel, rotat-' ableshafts", 'register wheels loose on said shafts and arranged in rows transversely with respect posed thereon by said holdingmeans andto'rotate thesame stepby step, means whereby a complete rotationpf' any lower denominational register wheel imparts a single step ofrotation to the next higher denominational register wheel in any given row, means whereby said register wheel rotating means when operated to rotate any" given register wheel imparts corresponding rotation to 'th'e' related shaft; and other register ing wheelsfixed on'said shalfts for registeringthe total' of the numbers registered by" the register wheels that are loose onsaid shafts."

Whenstarting touse the device,'-'or"at other" times, it may be "desirableto effect a zero setting of the register wheels that are'loose onthe shafts without'disturbing the register wheels that are" fixed on said shafts; or to effect a zero setting of 'ith'e register wheels that are fixed 'on said shafts without disturbing the register wheels that are loose on'said shafts, or to effect a zero setting of :all of saidregister wheels, and the object of the present invention,generallyspeaking; is to provide simple; reliablefland efiicient means' whereby? this may be done in-an easy and expe ditious manner.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which. will become-more fully apparent as-the natureiof the .invention is better understood; the

sameeonsists .in a registeringdevice having the novel'features of construction, combination and drawings and defined. in' the appended claims;

Figured and shows'in'particular themeans ema In the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of 1 reference "denote corresponding parts incth'e different views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the'outer cas- 5 sing ofthe device;

Figure'z is a perspectiveview of the honors andtrick points register zeroising plate and also of the totalis'ator.

10 Figure 3 is a perspective'view of the base frame which supports the various elements which 'com-' prise the totalisating mechanismof thedevice:

Figure 4 is a plan of the totalisating mecha nism.

Figure 5 is a cross-section on the'line V-'-V of ployed for transferring a digit from" a lower de nominational-totthenext'higher wheel, or vice versa, when the former'wheel changes from 9' 204:0 -.0"-for.=0' to9in:addition orsubtraction as the'casemay be.

Figure-6 is a cross-section on the line"VI'VI of'Figure4 and'shows in particular the means or employed for. manually setting the register 3 "referredttoherein as the zeroising wheel:

Figure 8 is an elevation of the ratchet wheel side of an indicator wheel; and

Figures 9 and 10 are elevations of different positions of what is referred to herein as a pri- 35 mary transfer wheel.

The apparatus, in this case, is meant for the registration,totalisation or subtraction of numbers always ending in zero, or, in other words, the igit 0, and ranging from 10 minimum to 9990 maximum normally; although this maximum range could be increased, if necessary, to double its'value, namely,19,980,if the'difference itself between-the two gross totals is worked out, whenever necessary up to 9990' maximum. The appa- "ratus combines into a single assembly, two similar-*units (designatedW'e' and They respectively); and it consists, for each digit of a number; of a' similar group of indicator wheels corresponding either to the-tens and hundreds as in the sub-divisions tricks, or to the tens, hundreds" and thousands as in the sub-divisions honors and the total points. The sub-division=total points implies totalisator reading.

The'groups corresponding tothe same'digits of t' each denomination (tens, for instance) are of the plate which frictionally retains the setting mounted on a common axis and are parallel to the corresponding groups constituting the following denomination (hundreds, for instance). The honors register consists of three indicator wheels, I, 2 and 3, arranged side-by-side and corresponding in denominations to tens, hundreds and thousands respectively. The trick points register consists of three sets of three indicator wheels, 4, and 6, arranged side-byside and in denomination designated by tens and hundreds respectively, and the wheels 6,

which are intended'to register the game score or position being inscribed with the characters, such as G (game); V (vulnerable); X (null) according to the proceeding and rules of the play, although the totalising principle and method of transfer remain the same as for the other wheels.

The last device, namely the totalisator, which registers the gross total of "honors and trick pointsdesignated "total points in Figure 1 is composed of three indicator wheels I, 8 and 9, arranged side-by-side and of denomination similar to the honors register.

The tens denominational indicator wheels I, 4 and 1 are carried on a shaft [0, the hundreds units 2, 5 and 8, on a shaft H and the thousands units 3, 6 and 9, (in the case of the "trick points register these are the character inscribed wheels 6) on a shaft l2, these three shafts of each scoring unit We and They being mounted sideby-side in parallel disposition and sup orted by bearing holes I3 formed in upstanding flanges ll of a base plate l5.

Each indicator wheel unit consists of a numerically or character-inscribed wheel, as shown, provi ed on a one side face with a ratchet wheel IS with which a manually operable pawl 11 cooperates. This pawl is a springy member which is carried by a plate l8. in turn supported by a pair of rods IS, the pawl having projecting upwardly therefrom a button 20 so that it can be depressed to engage and turn the ratchet one tooth. as will be readily understood from Figure 6. There is a pawl I! for each indicator wheel so that each wheel can be set manually independently of any corresponding wheel in another register. In order that the setting of the honors and trick points registers may be transmitted to the totalisator, each of the wheels of the registers is loose on theappropriate shaft ([0, H or l2) and (with the exce tion of the character-inscribed units 6 of the "trick points re ister) is associated with a second ratchet wheel 2i which is secured to the appropriate shaft by a key 22 and which is disposed alongside the ratchet wheel l6 so as to be actuated by the associated pawl H, the units 6 being associated with independent ratchet wheels 16' loose on the appropriate shaft l2.

The honors and trick points indicator wheels are in contact with a plate 23 which is slidably mounted on the base plate I5 and has a displacement which is approximately equal to three and one-half times the distance between the numbers inscribed on the indicator Wheels, this plate being referred to herein as the zeroising plate. The indicator Wheels can be turned against the friction afforded by this plate and accordingly will be retained in their set positions until the plate is actuated, as will be hereinafter described. The setting of the totalisator is retained by reason of the fact that the indicator wheels hereof also contact with a plate 24 which is fixedly held on the base plate l5,

it being understood that the plates 23 and 24 will have suitable friction surfaces which may be made of rubber, for example.

Transfer between two adjacent indicator wheels either in addition or subtraction is provided for by the means particularly shown in Figures 5, 9 and 10. Each unit requiring the transfer facility is provided with a primary transfer wheel having on its side a tooth 26 and in its periphery a recess 21. This wheel is fixed to rotate with the appropriate indicator wheel and it cooperates with a secondary transfer wheel 28 in the form of a star having three long teeth 29 adapted for engagement by the primary tooth 26 and three shorter teeth 30 which can engage in the recess 21. Normally the periphery of the primary transfer wheel 25 contacts with the arcuate portion between two short teeth 30 so as to hold the secondary transfer wheel in position. The long teeth of each secondary transfer wheel also cooperate with a toothed wheel 3| secured to rotate with the indicator wheel of next higher denomination and the transfer operation for addition is as follows: As the lower denominational indicator wheel unit turns from 9 to 0, the primary transfer tooth 26 thereof engages one of the longer teeth 29 of the adjacent secondary transfer wheel 28, and, as this latter turns, one of its shorter teeth 30 engages in the recess 21 of the primary wheel, whereupon the secondary transfer wheel continues to turn until the desired transfer unit is registered and at the same time another of the longer teeth 29 of the secondary transfer wheel meshes with the adjacent toothed wheel 3| of the next higher denomination, whereby the indicator wheel of the latter also is turned to register the transfer unit. At the conclusion of each transfer operation, the secondary wheel will have its teeth positioned as shown in Figure 5. Figure 9 shows the normal position of the primary transfer Wheel 25 either at 0 or after transfer from 9 to 0, and Figure 10 the position before transfer in the indicator wheels corresponding to the tens, the normal position either at O or after transer from 9 to "0 in the indicator wheels corresponding to the hundreds being shown in Figure 5.

The various secondary transfer wheels 28 are rotatably supported on the rods l9 which carry the setting pawl assemblies l1, l8 and 20.

In operation of the device, the scores, either for honors or trick points, are registered in the appropriate registers by depression of the appropriate [buttons 20, and at the same time such scores are registered by the totalisator. It will be understood that the scores will be entered under the We or They section of the device according to which side acquires them. For each game," trick points are scored in one of the set of registers provided, the unit 6 in the register in which the score has been entered will be turned from the neutral positio corresponding to 0 to the G position corresponding to 1 as the hundreds indicator wheel changes from "0 to 1 or more instead of from 9 to "0 upon the attainment of a hundred points which is a game score in contract bridge. Figure 5 shows, by way of example, the position of the primary wheel 25 after transfer from 0 to l in th indicator wheels corresponding to the hundreds, the normal position being at "0. The next game is scored in one of the two next lower sets of the trick points registers, while the units 6 of any section may be turned by means is eithenivulnerable orrihas lost: its -scoring :points' accordirigtorules; these three sets thus forming a maximumcombination forxthe clear. realization istering the respective total scoresg andto ascer-v tain the difference for obtaining the winning aggregate'points; the lower total is entered either in the totalisator registering the higher total or in both totalisators by depressing the appropriate buttons 20. In this connection it will be observed that the ypawls ll of the totalisators operate in the reverse direction to those of the honors and trick points registers, so that the effects of depressing their, associated buttons is to rotate th totalisator in a direction opposite to the adding direction. Such rotation will not be transmitted to the honors and trick points registers since their units are loose on the shafts H], II and I2.

It may be noted here that the totalising mechanism is enclosed by a box-like cover plate 32 (Figure 1), having windows 33 through which the inscribed indicator wheels can be seen, and slots 34 through which project the operating buttons 20.

Re-setting of the totalisators is effected merely by entering therein the score registered thereon, the entry being effected by depressing the appropriate push buttons 20. Re-setting of the honors and trick lpoints registers in both We and They sections is effected by reciprocating the slide plate 23 from its normal left hand position to the right and then back, the maximum number of reciprocations in the present instance being three. For this purpose each of the honors and 'trick points indicator wheels is provided with a zeroising wheel 35 which is fixed to rotate with the appropriate indicator Wheel and which has cut in its side three recesses, the first recess 36 standing at the 0 positionof the wheel, the second recess 31 standing at the 4 position and the third recess 38 standing at the 7 position. so that the angle subtended between recess 36 and 31 is greater than that between 3'! and 38 or between 38 and 36 (see Figure '7). The recessed side of each zeroising wheel is engaged by a springy latch 39 which, as will be readily apparent from Figure 4,

' allows rotation of the zeroising wheel and thereby of the associated indicator wheel in the adding direction but prevents, when it is engaged in a recess, rotation of the indicator wheel in the opposite direction. It will be noted that the peripheral distance between recess 36 and recess 31 is greater than the maximum displacement allowed on the zeroising plat 23; accordingly it follows that all indicator wheels can be returned to zero in a minimum number of three reciprocations of the slide plate 23. Each time the slide plate is pulled to the right the indicator wheels will be rotated in the adding direction and during the movement of the plate to the left will be rotated back in the opposite direction the same amount unless during the latter motion a recess of their zeroising wheels has engaged the associated latch'39. If this is the Zero recess 36 the register will always come back to zero at the end of reciprocation of the zero-ising slide, but if one of the other recesses 31 and 38, the next reciprocation of the slide will cause the zeroising wheel to be moved until the following reces engages provision ora'uxiliary springs:

Partitions M -"may be"disposed '=be'tween the I ratchet wheels l6 and 2|, the upper edge portions 42 of which are adapted to limit the downward movement of the pawls ll.

As will be readily understood, the scoring device for contract bridge, as above described, has I the following advantages and characteristics:

1. It has the shape and volume of an ordinary small block-note.

2. It avoids the use of paper and pencil or pointer.

3. It is decorative in itself and interesting to use.

4. It separately totals the honors won by each group of players.

5. It separately totals the tricks of each game either for We or They.

6. When tricks in each game to be won reach or exceed 100, it automatically indicates a game.

7. It indicates if partners are vulnerable or not.

8. It indicates if tricks not reaching or exceeding are annulled when opposing partners make a game.

9. It simultaneously counts and totals all points, either honors or tricks as play is proceeding.

10. When rubber (two games) is finished, it enables the difference between the two gross totals to be obtained and thus shows the winning points either for We or They.

11. It enables the play of many rubbers to be registered independently and totals all points efiectively, from start to finish. It can thus count the difference between the two gross collective totals and show the collective winning points either at the end of the play or after each rubber, or whenever desired.

12. It gives an exact and clear account of the play at any moment of its proceeding.

\ I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a rotatable registering wheel having a zero indicating position, and means to return said wheel to its zero indicating position following rotation of the same from said position, said means comprising a planar friction member engaged with the periphery of said wheel and reciprocable to rotate the same', a ratchet wheel fixed with respect to said registering wheel for rotation therewith, and a fixedly positioned pawl for cooperation with said ratchet wheel to stop the same and thereby stop said registering wheel in its zero indicating position as said wheels are rotated by planar movement of said friction member.

2'. In a device of the character described, a rotatable registering wheel having a zero indicatingp'osition, and means to return said wheel to its zero indicating position following rotation of the same from said position, said means compris ing a planar friction member engaged with the periphery of said wheel and effective to resist rotation thereof to an extent to prevent inadvertent rotation thereof without preventing intended ro tation thereof, said friction member being shiftthe atch. 2 Thus the zeroising wheel will be moved= from re'cess tome'cess-until it reaches zero position; This construction makes f or compacts ness in the apparatus;

" The zeroisi'n'g slide is operated -by a handle 46; and, ifdesired-g'it 'may be operated against the action one suitable spring; In addition, the re turn of the buttons 20 may betacilitatedbythe cating position, a planar friction member engaged with the periphery of said wheel and reciprocable in its plane to rotate said wheel to its zero indicating position following rotation thereof from said position, and pawl and ratchet means to insure stopping of said wheel in its zero indicating position when the same is rotated to said position by said planar mernber.

MOHAMED AREF ZULFICAR. 

